Don’t miss this K-Beauty shopping destination

Skincare before Korean products is akin to dining out before sushi. What on Earth did we do? Granted our morning and evening regimens may have had a few less steps, these high-tech imports have gobbled up a lot of real estate in our bathrooms. But the fact that so many Korean products are so out-of-the-box as compared to our traditional beauty thinking, it can definitely be difficult to decide what to buy when shopping. That’s why you need to check out Aritaum—either online or in person.

With more than 1,500 stores in Asia, this K-Beauty emporium has a presence of Sephora-esque proportions, and it’s in the midst of a major American expansion. With roughly 20 stores currently open and 100 more slated within the next three years, Aritaum is going to make it easier than ever to touch, smell and feel the top Korean brands.

The company behind Aritaum is none other than the company behind AmorePacific (although you won’t find your beloved AP cushion compacts in Aritaum stores). However you will find other Korean go-tos such as Laneige (the Target bestseller), Sulwhasoo (an amazing prestige range), Iope (the line that introduced cushion technology), Mamonde (botanically-based skincare and cosmetics) and Hanyul (the most traditionally Korean line of the bunch), plus loads and loads of fun tools, haircare, bath/body products and more.

Although I haven’t had a chance to peruse the aisles of a bricks-and-mortar Aritaum store just yet, it’s on my to-do list for the next time I’m in New York—and I’ll be checking for locations if my travels happen to take me elsewhere before then!